Grammar and Style: Coordinate Adjectives
Coordinate adjectives are adjectives of equal rank that separately modify a noun. They
should be separated by commas or coordinating conjunctions (such as and or or).
“that abrupt, weighty, unhurried, and hollow-sounding enunciation
a pestilent and mystic vapor”
Adjectives that do not separately modify their noun are not coordinate and do not need
commas or a conjunction between them. In the following example, certain and boyish do not
separately modify the noun traits; instead, certain modifies the entire phrase boyish traits.
“reminiscences of certain boyish traits”
HINT: Usually, if the order of the adjectives can be reversed with no change in meaning, they are
coordinate.
A. Use a piece of lined paper. Number 1-10. On the line that corresponds to each phrase from
below, label the adjectives C for coordinate or NC for not coordinate. Write out the words and
add commas in the phrases where necessary.
____ 1. a black and lurid tarn
____ 2. acute bodily illness
____ 3. an eye large liquid and luminous
____ 4. his peculiar physical conformation
____ 5. stern deep and irredeemable gloom
____ 6. the consequent undeviating transmission
____ 7. a quaint and curious volume
____ 8. the silken sad uncertain rustling
____ 9. a grim ungainly ghastly gaunt and ominous bird
____ 10. the rare and radiant maiden
When you are finished please keep the paper for our next activity.